| A Journal News editorial

Candidate interview

Residents of state Assembly District 91, which takes in the sprawling Sound shore, will vote for change Nov. 6, whether they want to or not. Their sitting Assembly member, George Latimer, D-Rye, is looking to switch chambers; he’s seeking the Senate seat being vacated by Suzi Oppenheimer, D-Mamaroneck. That makes the 91st a rare bird: an open seat; voters ought not squander the opportunity for an upgrade.

The Democratic challenger is Steve Otis, the longtime former Rye City mayor. The Republican candidate is William Villanova, who in 2005 was elected councilman in Rye Town, the entity that primarily collects taxes in the three villages and operates Crawford and Rye Town parks. Our recommendation goes to Otis, for his clear-headed positions on the issues and his vast experience, in both local and state government.

As every right-thinking hopeful on the November ballot does, both candidates voice the requisite concern for overburdened taxpayers; but we thought Otis had the clearest vision on future savings. He singled out special education, pensions and counties’ share of Medicaid expenses — all weigh heavily on local taxpayers — as areas where state government reforms might secure more savings. Villanova said the answer is bringing “best business practices” to Albany.

Villanova, a funeral manager and Port Chester volunteer firefighter, said he has shown himself to be a bipartisan budget cutter on the Rye Town council. Nonetheless, his rival easily outdistances him on experience. In addition to serving as Rye mayor from 1998 to 2010, Otis has spent 27 years as counsel and chief of staff to Oppenheimer. In that capacity, he has worked with every level of government on issues important to district residents, such as persistent flooding. Otis won’t need the rookies’ tutorial. Notable as well: Because most of Otis’ service has been as a member of the minority party, he should understand what it means to work in a bipartisan fashion. That — and experience — ought to count for something in Albany. Otis is the clear choice.